Backing Australian business through new F-35 industry support program

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Related ministers and contacts


Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC

Minister for Defence


The Hon Melissa Price MP

Minister for Defence Industry

Minister for Science and Technology


Media contacts

Ben Martin (Minister Reynolds’ Office): +61 447 219 902
Ben Spencer (Minister Price’s office): +61 412 754 310
Defence Media: media@defence.gov.au

Release content

9 December 2020

Joint media release:

  • Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP


The Morrison Government has launched a new industry support program to assist Australian companies in becoming established in the sustainment phase of the global F-35 Program.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC announced the Joint Strike Fighter – Industry Support Program (JSF-ISP) today, with $4 million initially available in grant funding to establish the program. As the F-35 program progresses, options to extend this funding will be explored.

“The JSF-ISP sustainment opportunity will support Australian companies that have been successfully appointed by the United States Department of Defense for component repair capability as part of the F-35 Global Support Solution,” Minister Reynolds said.

“The JSF-ISP is another example of the Government’s commitment to building a robust sovereign defence industry capability through our $270 billion investment.

“This will not only create jobs for Australians, but will deliver more opportunities for Australians small businesses to export their capabilities overseas,” Minister Reynolds said.

Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price, said grants would help companies become established in the F-35 production and supply chain.

“Since July 2011, the New Air Combat Capability – Industry Support Program has awarded 46 grants worth more than $21 million to 25 Australian companies,” Minister Price said.

“This investment has helped more than 50 Australian companies win contracts worth over AU$2.7 billion as part of the F-35 Program to date.

“The JSF-ISP has been developed to help keep Australian industry competitive within the global market, as F-35 Program contracts are awarded on a ‘best-value’ basis.”

JSF-ISP Grant application and Sustainment guidelines can be found at: https://www.grants.gov.au/

More information about the F-35A Lightning II is available at: https://www.airforce.gov.au/technology/aircraft/strike/f-35a-lightning-ii and https://www.defence.gov.au/CASG/AboutCASG/OurStructure/Air/JointStrikeFighter.asp 

Imagery: https://images.defence.gov.au/S20203900

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